HUDSON COUNTY — In local elections for Nov. 3, 2015, there were a few surprises, but not many.
It should be noted that in close races, candidates may legally challenge the turnout — and some provisional and absentee ballots still have yet to be counted.
Aside from state Assembly races, voters also got to chose a council representative in Hoboken, and school board members in Hoboken, Secaucus, Jersey City, West New York, and Bayonne.
Guttenberg candidates ran for school board unopposed.
In Hoboken, candidates supported by Mayor Dawn Zimmer won four of the six ward races, but only one of three school board seats in contention.
Victorious in the council race were candidates Michael DeFusco, Tiffanie Fisher, Peter Cunningham (incumbent) and Jennifer Giattino (incumbent). Ruben Ramos Jr. a former councilman, was returned to the body, despite splitting the anti-Zimmer vote with Timothy Occhipinti. Michael Russo ran unopposed.
Board of Education winners in Hoboken were Tom Kluepfel (incumbent), and board newcomers John Madigan and Britney Montgomery (not endorsed by the mayor). Madigan earned the most votes. Fourth-place finisher Addys Velez came only 36 votes behind Montgomery.
In Jersey City the school board winners were Marilyn Roman, Vidya Gangadin, and John Reichart.
The public question above moving elections to November appeared to be prevailing in a close race, 4,702 yes to 4,432 no — and that’s with 95.58 of the ballots in. Thus, the results may change.
In Bayonne, school board winners were Joseph Broderick, Christopher Piechocki, and Ava Finnerty. The winner of a 2-year term to fill in a seat was Christopher Munoz. In Bayonne, the one-year term will be filled by Denis Wilbeck, who outran the other candidates by far.
In Secaucus, Louis Giele, Norma Hanley, and Joan Cali will fill the seats, although fourth place finisher Kelli D”Addetta was close.
In West New York, Lorena Portillo, Matthew Cheng, and Jonathan Castaneda prevailed in an election with low turnout.
In the various Assembly races — hold on to your hats! — all of the Democratic candidates won.
To view more details, numbers, and updates, visit the county clerk website